Truck-bolster.



No.' 72 ,030. PATVENTED M Y-12, 1903. L. A. SHEPARD.

TRUCK BOLSTER. APPLIUATION FILED 110mm 1902.

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NO MODEL.

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PATENTED MAY 12, 1903.-

L. A. SHEPARD TRUCK BOLSTE R. APPLIOAT'ION nun NOV. 12. 1 02. no, MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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llNiTED STATES Patented May 12. 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

TRUCK-'BOLSTER.

SPECIFICATION form ng 1 81* Of Letters Patent NO. 78,030, dated May 1 2, 1903. Application filed November 12,1902. Serial No. 131 ,(lOO. (No model.)

To all whom, it map concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS A. SHEPARD, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the borough of Brooklyn, city and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Truck-Bolsters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to truck-bolsters, and

has for its object the production of a light and strong bolster simple in structureand capable of being producedat small cost. The holsters hereinshownare cast in a single piece, steel being the metal best fitted for the purpose; but I do not desire to limit myself to a bolster of cast metal or one that is composed of a single piece of metal, but include within my invention as set forth in the appended claims bolsters of cast, pressed, or rolled metal, composed either ofa single piece or built up of two or more pieces, and I also include such modifications of the forms illustrated as will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art.

In the drawings which accompany this specification, Figure 1 is a plan, Fig. 2 a side elevation, partly in section, and Fig. 3 an end view, of one form in which my invention may be embodied. Fig. at is a detail view, partlyin section, of one end of a modified form of bolster,Fig. 5 being an end view thereof. Figs. 6, 7, and 8 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, but illustrating a second modification of-my invention.

In all of the forms shown the bolster com prises a top web 1 andabottom web 2. These webs are spaced apart throughout their length and preferably extend from end to end of the bolster. The center portions of these webs are preferably united bya hollow or boxlike structure 3, shown as a cylinder, whose outside diameter is equal to the width of the bolster. The upstanding walls of the bolster center-bearing form a ringt of the same diameter as the cylinder 3, which latter there--- fore forms a strut or brace between the members 1 and 2 directly below all points of the ring 1 and in line with the stresses transmitted to the bolster through the center-bearing. The webs 1 and 2 may be further united at points outside of the cylinder 3 by a single upstanding longitudinal web 5, preferably located equidistant from the edges of the said Webs.

In the bolsters shown in Figs. 1 to 5 the web 5 does not extend to the extreme ends of the bolster, but unites at its outer ends with the diagonal or transverse webs 6, which in turn unite with the longitudinally-extending webs 7, respectively, thus forming an openended box-like structure at each end of the bolster immediately above'the springs, upon which the bolster rests when in use. It will be evident that the box-like structures at the center andends 0t thebolster contribute greatly to' its strength, since they are well adapted for resisting lateral as well as vertical stresses and are very light. At intermediate points the web 5 in connection with the webs 1 and 2 impart sufficient strength to the beam. The cylinder 3, web 5 and webs 6 may be apertured, as at 8, for lightness and convenience in casting. The webs 7 may either terminate at the bottom 'web 2, as in Figs. 4 and 5, or they may be provided with extensions 9, Figs. 2 and 3, depending below the web 2 and forming with the said web a recess or seat for the reception of the ends of the supporting-springs.

The bolster shown in Figs. 6 to 8 differs fromthose previously described in that webs 1 and 2 are continuous or united at their ends,

and the longitudinal web 5 extends to the said united ends 10 and is united thereto. A

box-like structure is formed at the ends by the webs 7", together with the webs 1, 2, and 5. The end portions -10 are preferably apertured at 11 The webs 7 a are provided with portions 9 depending below the web 2, and the web .5 has a similar depending portion 12. These parts are united by a web 13, which may be used as a spring-seat for the bolster. This form of bolster possesses the same advantages of strength and lightness as the forms previously described.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom webs spaced'apart throughout its length, and united by a longitudinal web, and a central hollow or box-like structure of approximately the same width as the said webs, sub stantially as described.

2. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom webs spaced apart throughout its length and united by a central hollow or box-like structure, theirend portions being united by a plurality of upstanding longitudinal webs, substantially as described.

3. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom webs spaced apart throughout its length and united at their center and ends by boxlike structures, substantially as described.

4. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom webs spaced apart and united by a longitudinal web, each end of said longitudinal web being united to a plurality of longitudinal webs which unite the ends of said top and bottom webs, substantially as described.

5. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom webs united at their ends by a plurality of upstanding longitudinal webs, at their centers by a hollow or box-like structure, and at intermediate points by a single longitudinal iug webs being extended below said bottom web, substantially as described.

7. A truck-bolster comprising integral top and bottom webs spaced apart, and united at their ends by upstanding webs, said upstanding webs being extended below said bottom web, and the lower edges of their extended portions being united by a web, substantially as described.

8. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom Webs, the center portions of which are united by an upstanding cylinder whose diameter is approximately equal to the width of the bolster, substantially as described.

9. A truck-bolster comprising top and bottom webs, the center portions of which are united by an upstanding cylinder whose diameter is approximately the same as that of the bolster center-bearing, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of November, 1902.

LOUIS A. SHEPARD.

In presence of EDWIN O. FARLOW, WILLIAM K. AUcHINoLoss. 

